Scottish clans boost visitor spend

Clan heritage events generate almost £400,000 for the Scottish economy.

Visitors to Scotland celebrating their ancestry have generated an estimated £390,000 of net additional spend for the tourism industry in 2015.

The Scottish Clan Event Fund, administered by EventScotland, provides clans and clan societies with grants to run and promote events such as gatherings, battle re-enactments and other associated heritage events.

The spend come after the Scottish Government allocated £23,000 to the Scottish Clan Fund in 2015/16.

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing welcomed the new figures – released for Scottish Tourism Week 2016 – as he confirmed funding for the Scottish Clan Fund will be up to £70,000 in 2016/17.

Last year, more than 7000 people from 18 countries attended events supported by the Fund. There will be six supported events taking place across Scotland in 2016.

Mr Ewing said:

"With up to 50 million people globally claiming Scottish ancestry, and many more with a strong connection to our country, the market for ancestral tourism in Scotland is considerable and creates opportunities for communities to benefit.

"Starting for the year of Homecoming in 2014, and continuing last year, I am pleased to see the fund has already had such a strong positive impact, capturing visitors' imagination, and helping to inspire and promote fun, colourful and inspiring events across the country.

"Not only will the Fund help support activities during this year's celebrations, but will help to provide a legacy of Clan activity through to our planned Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology in 2017."